Evidence of meeting #20 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was advertising.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Services, Privy Council Office
There are a couple things. First, I'd clarify that it's not just for Deputy Prime Minister support. There was a list of a number of items. Part of this is continuing—
Conservative
Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB
Would you provide the committee with the breakdown of those items?
Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Services, Privy Council Office
I'd be happy to provide a breakdown to the committee.
Conservative
Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB
Thank you. I'm going to move on.
I have a question regarding the employee satisfaction survey. I notice it's in your departmental results and your plan. It shows that 41% of public service employees surveyed stated that they viewed the workplace as psychologically unhealthy. I'm curious; why is there no money put aside in the supplementary estimates, or even the main estimates, to address this?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Tom Lukiwski
Mr. McCauley, that's a great question, but unfortunately we have no more time for the answer.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Tom Lukiwski
If the answer could be provided as quickly as possible in writing to our clerk, I would appreciate it greatly.
We'll now go to our next intervenor, Mr. Drouin, for six minutes, please.
Liberal
Francis Drouin Liberal Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
I want to thank the witnesses for being here today.
I am going to ask questions about the budget of the National Capital Commission, since I am a member from the region. I see that there is an amount of $52.4 million in the supplementary estimates A.
How will this amount be used?
Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet, Communications and Consultations, Privy Council Office
As stated a little earlier on the communications and advertising piece, the $49.5 million, the first portion of it we've allocated to the Public Health Agency of Canada to continue their successful public health campaign. Of that $49.5 million, $10 million will go to Public Health. We are also going to provide $12 million of that to extend the Finance Canada campaign, which is currently at $10 million, to promote the economic supports for businesses and individuals across the country.
Liberal
Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet, Communications and Consultations, Privy Council Office
No. That part didn't come through. I apologize.
I'm with the PCO.
Liberal
Francis Drouin Liberal Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON
I was just wondering about the $52.4 million for the NCC. Presumably it would be a PSPC question.
Bill Matthews Deputy Minister, Department of Public Works and Government Services
My apologies for missing the first part of the question. I was switching over to a different microphone.
The NCC money is largely to do repair and maintenance, damage from floods and some deferred maintenance that exists. That's the big part of it, a number of properties and bridges, as well as a few parks. Grosso modo, that's the buckets of things you're looking at there.
Liberal
Francis Drouin Liberal Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON
Mr. Matthews, in terms of the bridges, I know the Alexandra Bridge was in the news. I have a lot of constituents who actually work for you and have to cross the bridge in order to get to work.
In budget 2019, we announced some dollars going directly to revamp the study of potentially a sixth link to the bridge. Where are we on that?
Deputy Minister, Department of Public Works and Government Services
The money you're looking at, which I referred to in the supplementary estimates, is actually for the Portage and Champlain bridges.
The money that was previously allocated has indeed gone towards refreshing the study that was previously done. The study is ongoing and is not quite final yet, but it should be shortly.
Liberal
Francis Drouin Liberal Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON
Are we expecting completely different results from the 2013 study? Are they going to use the same weighted averages for certain...like put more emphasis on the environment or on certain locations? Are we expecting a completely different result?
I suppose you're going to say we'll wait until we see what the study says.
Deputy Minister, Department of Public Works and Government Services
I'll give you a partial answer, Mr. Chair.
The weighting for the study will be the same as it was previously, but obviously things have changed in the years that have passed, so there may be different factors at play. The actual factors being used for the study are the same factors that were used the first time around; it's just a question of assessing what else has changed.
Liberal
Francis Drouin Liberal Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON
Okay.
I'm just going to bridge back to the $52.4 million that's been in the news about the official residence renovations. Are any of those funds dedicated to the official residence renovations?
Deputy Minister, Department of Public Works and Government Services
No. The money in supplementary estimates (A) is not for official residences. It is for flood damage, as I mentioned before, some bridges and parks, as well as some deferred maintenance on other properties.
Liberal
Francis Drouin Liberal Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON
Do we know the assessed damage on NCC property? I've seen some work going on, as I have the benefit of living around here. What were the damages assessed to, approximately? Do we have a number for that?
Deputy Minister, Department of Public Works and Government Services
Are you talking about damages from the flood?
Deputy Minister, Department of Public Works and Government Services
I'd have to get back to you, Mr. Chair.
We can do that in writing. That's an easy follow-up, I think.
Liberal
Francis Drouin Liberal Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON
Great. Thank you.
I think I probably have time for one more question.
With regard to official residence renovations, we know that it's never a big political seller. How does PSPC, and perhaps the NCC, plan to forecast similar situations going forward, whether it's for the official residences or for other properties we have around the national capital region?
Deputy Minister, Department of Public Works and Government Services
I think, Mr. Chair, that the answer depends on the projects.
You would do an assessment, make a plan and then budget accordingly. Obviously, the money can't be spent until it has been properly approved, until the project has the blessing and the dollars have been put through this committee, etc.
I can't really give you a solid answer on that front.